12 Unexpected PGA Tour Stars Who Missed the Playoffs including the 15 times major champion

12 Unexpected PGA Tour Stars Who Missed the Playoffs

As the curtain fell on the PGA Tour’s regular season, the spotlight not only shone on those who advanced to the playoffs but also on the surprising names who didn’t. The Wyndham Championship served as the last chance for players to secure a spot in the postseason, with the cut-off set at the top 70 in the season-long points standings. Amid a tumultuous week where storms wiped out Thursday’s first round, players faced an intense final push, including a grueling 36-hole Sunday.

 

With the playoffs now upon us, the Tour shifts focus to the top 70 who will compete in the FedEx St. Jude Championship next week. From there, the top 50 will move on to the BMW Championship, securing spots in next year’s Signature Events. The top 30 after the BMW Championship will advance to the Tour Championship starting August 29. For those outside the top 70, it’s a three-week hiatus before they return to compete in the fall events, aiming to improve their standings and retain full playing privileges for the next season.

 

Among those left out of the playoffs were some notable names, each with a story of their own. Here’s a closer look at 12 surprising players who fell short:

1. Davis Riley

Projected to finish 71st in the standings, Riley had a notable win at the Charles Schwab Challenge this year. Yet, despite this victory, his season was marked by inconsistency, with only two top-25 finishes to his name before the Wyndham Championship.

2. Andrew Putnam

Ending the regular season at a projected 72nd in the standings, Putnam showed promise early on but struggled with form throughout the year. He had a solid season but missed six cuts in 21 events, proving too costly for playoff qualification.

3. Lucas Glover

The defending Wyndham Championship and FedEx St. Jude winner found himself projected to finish 77th. Despite his impressive back-to-back wins last year, Glover’s current season was plagued by inconsistency. He himself acknowledged the struggle to piece together a solid run.

4. Nicolai Hojgaard

A member of the victorious 2023 Ryder Cup team, Hojgaard had high expectations but is projected to finish 81st. His season was marked by only two top-25 finishes, reflecting a year that failed to meet the expectations set by his previous successes.

5. Harry Hall

Projected to finish 86th, Hall’s season included a notable win at the ISCO Championship. However, early struggles with missing cuts hampered his overall performance, leaving him short of playoff contention.

6. Brice Garnett

With a win at the Puerto Rico Open, Garnett was expected to have a strong season but ends up projected to finish 87th. His overall performance was uneven, with only two other top-25 finishes to complement his victory.

7. Chris Gotterup

The Myrtle Beach Classic winner, Gotterup, found himself projected to finish 94th. His season was a mixed bag of performance, with as many missed cuts as made cuts, preventing him from securing a playoff berth.

8. Matt Kuchar

For the first time since the FedEx Cup’s inception in 2007, Kuchar is projected to finish 103rd, ending his streak of consecutive playoff appearances. His season was marred by missing 11 cuts in 19 events, showcasing a downturn in form.

9. Rickie Fowler

A fan favorite and the 2023 Ryder Cup player, Fowler’s projected 106th finish is a significant drop from his previous years. Despite returning to form last year with a win at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, he struggled this season with only two top-25 finishes in 20 events.

10. Webb Simpson

The 2012 U.S. Open champion is projected to finish 149th. Simpson’s season was underwhelming, with just one top-25 finish in 12 events, reflecting a stark contrast to his past performances.

11. Gary Woodland

The 2019 U.S. Open winner and a player who returned this year after battling a brain tumor, Woodland is projected to finish 153rd. His comeback was admirable, but it was clear the challenges of his health impacted his performance.

12. Tiger Woods

Even Tiger Woods, a 15-time major winner, is not advancing to the playoffs, projected to finish 220th. Woods’ limited participation—playing only five events—was insufficient for playoff contention, underscoring the difficulties of competing at the highest level after injury and surgery.

 

The exclusion of these prominent players from the playoffs highlights the unpredictability and competitive nature of the PGA Tour. As the postseason kicks off, the journey of these stars will be closely watched, with many looking to bounce back in the fall events to secure their futures on the Tour.